US HISTORY-PER 1

Class Introduction:

U.S. History-�12-�13

This is a semi-chronological study of World/US History from the 1600�s to the present. This class will include assorted readings and/or student-designed projects, seminar discussions, writing in response to prompts, as well as essay tests. Some simulations may also be included.
The first semester will deal with issues in the period from the 1760�s to the late 19th century and the second semester will bring us up to the present.
In this first quarter, we will look at the nature of governments and the transformation from monarchies to democracy and how that played out on the American frontier and the relationship between the American colonies and the rest of the world.
Our focus will be on the basic themes of the study of history in general, which includes the following:

The Character of History
A student should understand that history is a record of human experiences that links the past to the present and the future.
RATIONALE: History helps us reach an understanding of ourselves and our society in relation to the human condition over time. History is more than a memorization of people, dates, places and events. It is a dynamic narrative, which serves as dialogue between the present and the past and is relevant to the future. Alaskan students will understand the role of change in history, history�s relationship to other disciplines, and how history helps us understand a person�s role in society.
The Content of History
A student should understand historical themes through factual knowledge of time, places, ideas, institutions, cultures, people, and events.
RATIONALE: Through history we come to understand the significance of what has come before. The search for historical truth explores many perspectives of the past organized around a number of persistent themes. Not only will students know and understand significant events; they will also know the relationship of these events to the organizing themes.
The Skills and Processes of Historical Study
A student should develop the skills and processes of historical inquiry.
RATIONALE: Historical inquiry is the analysis of the historical record. The record includes written and visual material, artifactual evidence, folk traditions, and oral accounts of specific times, places, and circumstances. Students must be competent in acquiring historical information through research, study and technological skills. They must be able to organize, use and present information to make decisions and solve problems. Students can use the skills of historical inquiry to develop strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills for social participation.

Application of History
A student should be able to integrate historical knowledge with historical skill to effectively participate as a citizen and as a lifelong learner.
RATIONALE: Alaska students are faced with making critical choices in an ever changing, complex world. They must know and use all aspects of history to make effective judgments, weigh decisions, assess economic, environmental and social consequences, and take action. Students need an opportunity to practice the integration and application historical information in meaningful ways in and out of the classroom. By knowing and doing history, Alaskans will become empowered critical-thinking citizens.

The proposed coursework for the first quarter will include the following:

Part I
Readings: �Of Commonwealth�, by Thomas Hobbes; �Of Civil Government�, by John Locke; �Declaration of Independence�, by Thomas Jefferson; text readings TBA, and other readings as assigned.
Paper due date: Wednesday, September 19
Test date: Friday, September 21

Part II
Readings: �Federalist 10�, by James Madison; Andrew Jackson�s First Inaugural; text readings TBA; and other readings as assigned.
Paper due date: Wednesday, October 17
Test date: Wednesday, October 17